Barcelona – The City That Has It All

Barceloneta Beach in Barcelona with colorful sky at sunrise.

Barcelona! A
charming European destination that attracts tourists from all over the world
without trying too hard to lure them in. Why do millions and millions of
travelers include Barcelona in their itinerary? What’s so special about this
Spanish city that it’s not even Spain’s capital? How come Barcelona has a
special place in many people’s hearts, regardless of their age?

The enchanting Barcelona

The city
welcomes you with a certain Mediterranean, exotic vibe even though it’s a
metropolis in all its splendor. Once you arrive here, you’ll instantly feel
you’re on holiday. Some come to spend just a weekend in
Barcelona and some come for a few days or more, but all of them want to
return. The beautiful, long strips of sand, the palm trees, the lively Las
Rambla, and the soothing yelling of the seagulls rotating above Port Vell
create the perfect setting to relax and discover one of the most beautiful and
entertaining cities in the world.

Hundreds of people promenading in the busiest street of Barcelona, the Ramblas.

Start with a
long walk along Las Ramblas, the most famous boulevard in the city, a
pedestrian-only street filled with cafes and restaurants. The surrounding area
abounds in shops and the usual souvenir stalls. However, since the cafes and
restaurants here tend to be overpriced, it’s better to just admire the views
and head to El Born.

El Born is the
trendiest neighborhood in the city, a bohemian destination that welcomes
visitors with tapas bars, chic cafes, restaurants and vintage shops. You’ll
also find the beautiful Church of Santa Maria del Mar and the impressive Santa
Caterina Market that awes travelers with its superb roof.

The oldest and
most visited quarter of Barcelona is undoubtedly the Gothic Quarter, home to
the Cathedral of Barcelona and a few Roman ruins that remind travelers about
the city’s rich history. It’s always crowded but its picturesque medieval
streets and beautiful buildings are worthy of your patience.

The largest
neighborhood in the city is L’Eixample, home to the fabulous and overwhelmingly
beautiful La Sagrada Familia, a breathtaking masterpiece created by Gaudi. As
soon as you enter this magnificent structure, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled
to a different universe, a hypnotic and mesmerizing world, where you’ll feel
humble and, at the same time, grateful for this gift.

The cultural Barcelona

Park Guell in Barcelona, Spain.

The name of
Gaudi is and forever will be associated with Barcelona. This is where you’ll
find some of its most beautiful creations, masterpieces embroidered in stone. Start
with La Pedrera, an undulating apartment building that hypnotizes and
fascinates without trying too hard to impress. Don’t miss a visit to the roof
to admire imposing chimneys that will remind you of brave warriors.

Not very far
from La Pedrera awaits Casa Batló, a
fantastical creature that glitters in the sun and plays with lines and colors.
This house seems to have appeared straight out of the modernist dream of a
gifted genius that couldn’t care less about the guidelines, rules, and patterns
of his time. End your journey into Gaudi’s genius mind with a short trip to
Park Güell from where you can admire the city and a few other
masterpieces of the artist. The park is located in the bohemian Gràcia neighborhood,
a quiet area of Barcelona, where you can discover beautiful views, outdoor
cafes, and trendy bars.

And then there
are the museums! Many of them and all interesting and rich in exhibits. The
Picasso Museum needs no recommendation, especially since it’s home to one of
the biggest collections of Picasso works. There’s also the Catalan Art Museum,
a perfect stop if you want to find out more about this region’s history, as
well as the Barcelona History Museum and the Maritime Museum. Fundació Joan Miró houses an impressive
collection of artwork by Joan Mió and other
contemporary artists.

The fun Barcelona

Tourists in famous La Boqueria market in Barcelona.

The nights in
Barcelona are legendary and memorable for many travelers. Dinner is served
after 9 pm in restaurants and the bars stay open until late at night. The
parties start after 10 pm and end only when the sun comes up. The nights are
white in Barcelona and the Europeans know how to party.

But it’s not
only about the nightclubs! From sophisticated cocktail bars and cheap cava
(sparkling wine) bars, Barcelona invites visitors to discover a different way
to spend the night. The prices for drinks tend to be decent, except in the most
popular nightclubs where the crème de la crème comes to spend the night and be
seen.

If you visit
Barcelona during the summer, Barceloneta is the perfect place to spend your
days. This beach is a beautiful strip of powdery-sand, perfect to worship the
sun and admire the sunset, as well as to savor an exotic cocktail or a cold
beer at one of its xiringuitos (beach
bars).

Barcelona has
one of the best urban beaches in the world, so you can combine a fun urban city
trip with an exotic beach holiday without spending too much money. The most
popular beach is Platja Barcelona at Vila Olimpica, home to the 1992 Olympics
and the ideal setting to relax in the sun.

With great
weather, fabulous beaches, fascinating museums, delicious food and never-ending
parties, Barcelona seems to have discovered the secret to always be present on
travelers’ maps.